Validation of the criteria used to determine protection at birth as applied to neonatal tetanus elimination in Vietnam

ABSTRACT

To determine the validity of the following simple criteria used to determine protection of the infant from neonatal tetanus, we carried out an analysis of 646 neonatal tetanus cases that were reported in Vietnam from 1994 to 1998. 93% (602) of the 646 cases did not fit the criteria set for “protection at birth”. It was concluded that the criteria used to define “protection at birth” are valid and reliable. It's enough to be used by health workers as a simple management tool to monitor the neonatal tetanus elimination program, and assess the eligibility of women for further tetanus toxoid doses, according to the EPI schedule.